South Africa music reviews

exporsure to apache influcence with afro/keltic make this very worthwhile

I hope my title doesn't offend - Paul Simon and the Lion King are two things that I thought of after first listening to this CD, given my limited exposure to South African music. It does have a unique sound with great musicianship. There are many interesting details in the music. I suspect on repeated listenings (I'm on #7 about now) I will like this music even more. I recommend this CD.

this record is a great representation of traditional african music. although ity leaves out quite a bit of countries in the collection, it caputres the liveliness of african folk music. I love it.

At last! I've been looking for this African music for ages, I had lost hope. It takes me to Africa everytime I listen to it. It's incredible!

I bought this fascinating CD on vacation in South Africa
It is a blend of jazz and world music. I'm normally not a fan of world music but I do really enjoy this CD
Zim is, I understand a big name in SA and deservedly so!

I hate resorting to such grand statements, but Vadzimu has, in my mind, earned its place as one of the best albums ever. It is sad to think that it will never garner the attention it deserves nor exert the influence it should, but for those who track it down, this album is a treasure.

It divides up into an epic, suite-like organization. The first part, Satire, contains pieces that reference traditional forms of South African music (a stand-out track is Gumboot Dance). From there, the album moves into a vast array of styles and moods, from the darkly brooding "Long Waltz to Freedom" to the more jubilant cover of Abdullah Ibrahim's "Carnival Samba."

Zim's saxophone tone is a distinctive, often cutting, wail. He is buoyed by some of his mainstays, such as Andile Yenana on piano, but also brings in harp, viola, etc in order to augment his usual quartet.

The music requires an open-mindedness on the part of the listener. Not so much because it is inaccessible, but simply because Zim leaps around in style and mood, refusing to settle musically or creatively. However, if you are up for some extremely creative, brilliant music, this album is for you.

As, incidentally, are his earlier albums.

Ephat Mujuru is one of if not the best mbira player in Zimbabwe and uses this perticular instrument in a way never heard before. With strong lyrics ( in shona, one of the traditional language of Zimbabwe ) and a powerful voice he sings about the old traditions used in Zimbabwe until this day. Every song tell a story of the growth and cultures of Zimbabwe and are very powerful especially to the shona people. This album is a must get.

This CD collects a number of previous recordings of Kwela and Simanje-Manje music by Donald Kachamba, the only remaining artist who is active in these two forms of popular music which evolved in the townships of South Africa in the 50's (Kwela) and 60's (simanje-manje). The music is played with simple instruments based on the kinds of instruments available to poor black teenagers -- the pennywhistle, which is at the heart of Kwela, gained its popularity because it could be made from a piece of discarded copper pipe. The music is excellent, and reminds you of blues guitar pieces in the way that you start out listening to the melody only to realize after a few minutes that what really grabs you about the melody is the rhythm that's built into it. As the tune repeats itself over and over, the rhythm changes in subtle ways, giving the music energy and making you realize, after sitting down to listen to the music, that you really want to get up and dance to it. Great stuff, easy to love.

Mbaqanga is the name given the most prominent musical style of this CD. It was admittedly created to be profitable for the music industry, music that reflects its South African heritage, but sidesteps the political aspect of much of the music from the continent. However, in a very short time, musicians incorporated the earlier "township jive" style and the form came into it's own to represent South African music.

Other songs are of the mbube style, a style first introduced in the U.S. by the popular song, "The Lion Sleeps Tonight".

This album is recommended as a good introduction to South African music.

Mahlathini (the male lead) and the three women who compose the Mahotella Queens are a classic act in the bouncy, Soweto jive style known as 'mbaqanga', having performed together since the 1960s.

This particular album highlights their main hits, and is a kick-ass example of authentic black South African pop. I work as a volunteer air-shifter on a world beat program on our local community radio station and out of all of the 5 or so CDs we have of M. and the M. Queens, I love this the best!

The CD has got a little bit of everything for a music lover;you can dance,sing along or even cry,go to Jo'burg or Soweto.It's too short however and leaves you wanting more.

Syncopated, clean guitar, a jumping bass line, your occasional accordion, and up-tempo every time. The music should be familiar to fans of Graceland, but on Zulu Jive it's the real deal, without nasal rhymin' Simon grafted on top. A compilation of four South African groups are included. Aaron Mbambo (with his backup girls sounding a lot like Bob Marley's) and Shoba have a rawer style that's more fun to hear, while Joshua Sithole's harmonies are better polished for radio. Rounding it out are the fast-moving instrumentals of the Rainbows. A great listen.